Three red cards in the midweek cup games, Deportivo’s Juanfran getting his marching orders midway through the first half of Thursday’s tie against Las Palmas, the second for protesting about the first! The other two reds came in the last match of the evening between second division B side Fuenlabrada, and their city neighbours Real Madrid, the locals’ Candela for a second bookable offence, and the visitors’ Jesús Vallejo (who was making his debut after a long injury lay-off) for a late tackle on an opponent in the last minute. All will miss the second legs at the end of next month, as will Leganés assistant coach Carlos Sánchez García, who was also sent to the stands after picking up two yellow cards for arguing with the officials in the game at Valladolid.

The only red card at the weekend (for protesting) was for Málaga assistant coach Juan Carlos Mandía, but six players will be banned next weekend after reaching the five yellow card threshold, including Vigaray (Alavés), Dani García (Eibar), Damián Suárez (Getafe), Rubén Pérez (Leganés), and Alvaro and Trigueros (both Villarreal). (31.10.17)